Caterpillar cut its profit and revenue guidance, saying economic conditions "are weaker than we had previously expected." The company sells construction and mining equipment.

MINNEAPOLIS — Caterpillar says the world’s economy is weaker than it thought, and it doesn’t expect growth to pick up until the second half of next year.

The company on Monday cut its 2012 revenue and profit guidance, and took a very cautious view toward its performance in 2013.

Caterpillar makes the yellow-painted excavators, heavy tractors, and other construction equipment often seen on road-building projects. It’s the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment, and also makes engines. Its results are watched closely for signs of where the broader economy is headed.

It’s headed for weak growth, based on what Caterpillar said Monday.

It predicted worldwide economic growth of 2.7 percent for next year, up from the 2.5 percent growth it expects for 2012. It expects the cheap lending offered in most countries to continue next year, although “growth has been slow to respond,” the company said.

“As a result, we are not expecting improvement in overall economic growth until the second half of 2013,” the company said.

Caterpillar sells to dealers, who turn around and sell to end users like construction and mining companies. Those dealers are trying to cut inventory, so they’re ordering less equipment than customers are buying.

Caterpillar cut its 2012 outlook for the second time this year. Revenue is expected to grow 9.7 percent to $66 billion, after rising 41 percent in 2011. Profit is now forecast at $9 to $9.25 per share, down from a previous forecast of $9.60 per share.

On Friday, General Electric Co. CEO Jeffrey Immelt said he’s expecting economic conditions next year to be similar to this year. Most regions should show some improvement, but Europe’s “going to be a grind,” he said. Investors should get another view of the global economy from a major manufacturer when 3M Co. reports earnings on Tuesday.

Caterpillar expects 2013 revenue to be about the same as this year, plus or minus 5 percent.

The company said sales of mining gear will fall next year. Lower prices for metals and coal, along with higher operating costs, have hurt profit margins at many mining companies, Caterpillar said. Sales of construction gear are expected to increase, and it expects improving activity in the U.S. It expects engine sales to be flat.

Profit in the third quarter rose 49 percent to almost $1.7 billion, or $2.54 per share. That compares with profit of $1.14 billion, or $1.71 per share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 4.6 percent to $16.45 billion.

The results included a gain of $273 million, or 27 cents per share, from selling a majority interest in a logistics business. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been expecting a profit of $2.21 per share, on revenue of $16.64 billion.

Shares of Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar Inc. rose $1.22 to close at $85.08 Monday.